Gaming system and method for resuming a skill-based game after an interruption event

ABSTRACT

A gaming system and method that provides one or more players with one or more pre-resumption opportunities prior to resuming the play of the skill-based game. The gaming system enables one or more players to affirmatively acknowledge, following a game play interruption, that they are ready to resume play of the skill-based game. Such an opportunity to indicate a readiness to resume the play of the skill-based game provides that the play of the skill-based game resumes when the player is ready and minimizes the affect of any game play interruption on the player&#39;s outcome of the skill-based game.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation of, claims the benefit of andpriority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/937,662, filed on Jul.9, 2013, the entire contents of which is incorporated by referenceherein.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains or maycontain material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyrightowner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction by anyone of thepatent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appearsin the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwisereserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

Gaming machines which provide players awards in primary or base gamesare well known. In certain jurisdictions, such primary games are gamesof luck, not games of skill. For instance, the gaming machine generallyrequires the player to place or make a wager to activate the primary orbase game. In many of these gaming machines, the award is based on theplayer obtaining a randomly determined winning symbol or symbolcombination and on the amount of the wager (e.g., the higher the wager,the higher the award). Randomly determined symbols or symbolcombinations which are less likely to occur usually provide higherawards.

One reason these gaming machines are popular is because an amateur,novice or inexperienced player can play most gaming machines at theplayer's own pace, with no required skills, strategy or risk evaluationand perform as well as a seasoned or experienced player. As such,because the symbols or symbol combinations are randomly determined (andthus the awards provided to the player are randomly determined), anypower failure or other game play interruption will not affect therandomly determined award. That is, any power failure or other game playinterruption may delay the timing of when the same randomly determinedaward is provided to the player, but such a power failure or other gameplay interruption does not otherwise affect the randomly determinedaward provided to the player.

Certain other gaming machines include games such as video poker andblackjack which involve certain player strategy or decision-making. Inthese games, the player decides which cards to hold in draw-type pokergames and whether to take additional cards in blackjack-type card games.These games generally require a certain level of strategy to besuccessful.

Gaming machines in certain jurisdictions involve a skill event such asan event requiring player dexterity to be successful. These games cannotgenerate outcomes purely upon a random determination. These gamingmachines require strategy or timing of inputs by the player to determinechance of success and failure. For example, these games employ skill todetermine which award or set of awards will be used to determine theaward provided to the player. In these games, because the award isdetermined based on one or more inputs representing an element of playerskill, a power failure may affect such inputs and thus affect the awarddetermined for the play of the skill game. That is, if a power failureoccurs and the gaming machine reboots, a delay of up to twenty minutesmay occur before the play of the skill-based gaming machine resumes.Based on this extended duration, if game play resumes before the playeris ready, the player would not be ready to make any inputs whichdetrimentally affect the player's award. For example, the gaming machineenables a player to collect items by driving a virtual car through alimited quantity of city streets. In this example, following theoccurrence of a power failure, if the gaming machine resumes the play ofthe game before the player is ready, the player may miss the opportunityto collect lucrative items by moving the virtual car through abeneficial city street. As illustrated in this example, unlike certainnon-skill-based games, the ramifications of a power failure (or othergame play interruption) may significantly affect the determined awards(and thus the player's gaming experience) of certain skill-based games.

Accordingly, there is a continuing need to provide new and differentgaming systems and methods which determine awards for skill-based gamesafter a power failure or other game play interruption.

SUMMARY

In various embodiments, the gaming system and method disclosed hereinprovides or requires one or more players with one or more resumptionopportunities prior to resuming the play of the skill-based game. Inthese embodiments, rather than resuming the play of a skill-based gameas soon as possible following a game play interruption, such as a powerfailure, the gaming system of the present disclosure enables one or moreplayers to affirmatively acknowledge, following a game playinterruption, that they are ready to resume play of the skill-basedgame. Such an opportunity to indicate a readiness to resume the play ofthe skill-based game provides that the play of the skill-based gameresumes when the player is ready and minimizes the affect of any gameplay interruption on the player's outcome of the skill-based game. Thatis, by accounting for the affects that power failures (or other gameplay interruptions) have on a play of a skill-based game and bymaintaining that the award of the skill-based game is determined basedon one or more inputs representing an element of player skill, thegaming system of the present disclosure mitigates the affects that powerfailures (or other game play interruptions) have on a play of askill-based game.

In various embodiments, the gaming system enables a player to play askill-based game (or a partial skill-based game). In certainembodiments, the gaming system enables a player to play an individualskill-based game (or an individual partial skill-based game). Forexample, the gaming system enables a player to make one or moreskill-based inputs to control the path of an avatar to collect coins(i.e., a determined skill-based game outcome), wherein the greater thequantity of coins collected, the greater the associated award amount. Incertain other embodiments, the gaming system enables a player to play acommunity or group skill-based game (or a community partial-skill basedgame). For example, the gaming system enables a plurality of players toeach make one or more skill-based inputs in a community shooter gamewherein a first player's avatar either kills a second player's avatar(i.e., a first determined skill-based game outcome for the first player)or is killed by the second player's avatar (i.e., a second determinedskill-based game outcome for the first player). In such skill-basedgames (or partial skill-based games), the gaming system determines oneor more skill-based game outcomes (and any associated awards) for one ormore players based on one or more aspects of the player's level of skill(as determined based on or quantified by zero, one or more inputs madeby the player which tend to measure one or more aspects of that player'sskill).

In various embodiments, in addition to enabling one or more players toplay one or more skill-based games, the gaming system stores game stateinformation pertaining to such played skill-based games. In theseembodiments, in anticipation of any potential game interruption event,such as a power failure, the gaming system continuously or periodicallystores game state data to facilitate that any interrupted game resumesplay from an appropriate game play point prior to the interruption. Thatis, since the outcomes of such skill-based games often hinge on when oneor more skill-based inputs are made by a player, the gaming systemstores such game state data to recreate the post-interruption play ofthe skill-based game to correspond to the pre-interruption play of theskill-based game and thus to minimize (or substantially eliminate) theaffect of such a game interruption event.

In various embodiments, following any game interruption event and anysubsequent provided service and/or rebooting of the gaming system, thegaming system loads the applicable, previously stored game state datapertaining to the state of the skill-based game prior to the gameinterruption event. Following the reloading of the applicable game statedata and prior to resuming the play of the skill-based game, the gamingsystem provides any players of the interrupted skill-based game with oneor more resumption opportunities to resume the play of the skill-basedgame. In one such embodiment, the resumption opportunity includesdisplaying a prompt to each of the players of the skill-based game toindicate a readiness to resume the play of the skill-based game. In thisembodiment, if each of the players affirmatively indicates that they areready to resume the play of the skill-based game, the gaming systemresumes the play of the skill-based game based on the loaded game statedata. In this embodiment, if each of the players do not affirmativelyindicate that they are ready to resume the play of the skill-based game,the gaming system displays a clock or meter to such players wherein thegaming system resumes the play of the skill-based game (based on theloaded game state data) when the first occurs between: (i) the clock ormeter reaches a designated amount, or (ii) each of the playersaffirmatively indicates that they are ready to resume the play of theskill-based game. In another such embodiment, the resumption opportunityincludes detecting activity and/or a presence of the player and resumingthe play of the skill-based game when the designated activity and/orpresence is detected. In these embodiments, by enabling each of theplayers of a skill-based game (or a partial-skill-based game) theopportunity to prepare and be ready for the post-interruption eventresumption of a skill-based game (or partial-skill-based game), thegaming system provides that the outcomes (and associated awards) of theskill-based game remains determined based on elements of players skill(and not determined based on a player's preparedness or unpreparednesswhen the skill-based game resumes).

In one example embodiment, for a play of a skill-based game, the gamingsystem enables a player to make at least one quantifiable skill inputand determines an outcome, the determination being based, at least inpart, on the at least one quantifiable skill input. For the play of theskill-based game, the gaming system determines any award associated withthe determined outcome, and displays any determined award to the player.The gaming system of this embodiment stores game state data associatedwith the play of the skill-based game, and if a skill-based gameinterruption event occurs prior to a conclusion of the play of theskill-based game: loads the stored game state data, and for a designatedperiod of time, enables the player to indicate to resume the play of theskill-based game. If the player indicates to resume the play of theskill-based game within the designated period of time, prior to anexpiration of the designated period of time, the gaming system resumesthe play of the skill-based game, wherein the skill-based game isresumed based on the loaded game state data. If the player does notindicate to resume the play of the skill-based game within thedesignated period of time, after the expiration of the designated periodof time, the gaming system resumes the play of the skill-based game,wherein the skill-based game is resumed based on the loaded game statedata.

Accordingly, the gaming system and method disclosed herein mitigates theaffects that power failures (or other game play interruptions) have on aplay of a skill-based game by maintaining that the award of theskill-based game is determined based on one or more inputs representingan element of player skill. Such a configuration increases the level ofexcitement and enjoyment for players of such skill-based games.

Additional features and advantages are described in, and will beapparent from, the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating an example process of one embodimentfor operating a gaming system including a player resumption opportunityfor an interrupted skill-based game as disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is an illustrated example of one embodiment of a skill-based gameas disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 is an illustrated example of one embodiment of a playerresumption opportunity for an interrupted skill-based game as disclosedherein.

FIG. 4 is an illustrated example of one embodiment of a community orgroup skill-based game as disclosed herein.

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C are diagrams indicating different player's readinessfor one embodiment of an interrupted community or group skill-based gameas disclosed herein.

FIG. 6 is a diagram indicating different player's readiness for oneembodiment of an interrupted community or group skill-based game asdisclosed herein

FIG. 7 is a diagram indicating different player's readiness for oneembodiment of an interrupted community or group skill-based game asdisclosed herein.

FIG. 8 is an illustrated example of one embodiment of a skill-based gameas disclosed herein.

FIG. 9A is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of a networkconfiguration of the gaming system disclosed herein.

FIG. 9B is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of an electronicconfiguration of the gaming system disclosed herein.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective views of example alternativeembodiments of the gaming system disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Skill-Based Play

In various embodiments, the gaming system and method disclosed hereinprovides one or more players with one or more resumption opportunitiesprior to resuming the play of a skill-based (or partial skill-based)game. In these embodiments, rather than resuming the play of askill-based game as soon as possible following a game play interruption,such as a power failure, the gaming system of the present disclosureenables one or more players to affirmatively acknowledge, following agame play interruption, that they are ready to resume play of theskill-based game. Such an opportunity to indicate a readiness to resumethe play of the skill-based game provides that the play of theskill-based game resumes when the player is ready and minimizes theeffect of any game play interruption on the player's outcome of theskill-based game. That is, by accounting for the affects that powerfailures (or other game play interruptions) have on a play of askill-based game and by maintaining that the award of the skill-basedgame is determined based on one or more quantifiable skill inputsrepresenting an element of player skill, the gaming system of thepresent disclosure mitigates the affects that power failures (or othergame play interruptions) have on a play of a skill-based game.

While certain of the embodiments described below are directed to aprimary or base skill-based game or a primary or base partialskill-based game, it should be appreciated that such embodiments mayadditionally or alternatively be employed in association with asecondary or bonus skill-based game or a secondary or bonus partialskill-based game. Moreover, while the player's credit balance, theplayer's wager, and any awards are displayed as an amount of monetarycredits or currency in certain of the embodiments described below, oneor more of such player's credit balance, such player's wager, and anyawards provided to such a player may be for non-monetary credits,promotional credits, and/or player tracking points or credits.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a flowchart of an example embodiment of aprocess for operating a gaming system disclosed herein is illustrated.In one embodiment, this process is embodied in one or more softwareprograms stored in one or more memories and executed by one or moreprocessors or servers. Although this process is described with referenceto the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 1, it should be appreciated thatmany other methods of performing the acts associated with this processmay be used. For example, the order of certain steps described may bechanged, or certain steps described may be optional.

In various embodiments, upon an occurrence of a skill-based gametriggering event, as indicated by block 102 of FIG. 1, the gaming systeminitiates or triggers a play of a skill-based game. In one embodiment, askill-based game (or a partial skill-based game) is a primary gamewherein a skill-based game triggering event occurs upon a player placinga wager to play the skill-based game. In another embodiment, askill-based game (or a partial skill-based game) is a secondary or bonusgame wherein a skill-based game triggering event occurs based on adisplayed event associated with a wagered on play of a primary game. Inanother embodiment wherein the skill-based game (or a partialskill-based game) is a secondary or bonus game, a skill-based gametriggering event occurs based on an event independent of any displayedevent associated with a wagered on play of a primary game.

An example of such a skill-based game is illustrated in FIG. 2. Forexample, as seen in FIG. 2, following an occurrence of a skill-basedgame triggering event, the gaming system displays a skill-based gameincluding a virtual underwater world 200 (i.e., a game-playenvironment). In this skill-based game, a player navigates a turtleavatar 202 (by making of one or more quantifiable skill inputs) tocollect or accumulate collection units 212, wherein the greater theamount or quantity of collection units collected, the greater the award.

In one embodiment, upon triggering the skill-based game and inanticipation of any potential skill-based game interruption events, suchas a potential power failure (or other error state), the gaming systemstores game state data pertaining to the play of the triggeredskill-based game, as indicated by block 104 of FIG. 1. In oneembodiment, the stored game state data is representative of certainelements of the skill-based game. In this embodiment, the gaming systemrecreates the skill-based game subsequent to any interruptions based onthe stored game state data. In various embodiments, the gaming systemstores the game state data continuously or substantially continuously.In one embodiment, the gaming system stores game state data on a pergraphics frame basis. That is, each display of a new frame of graphicswhich illustrates the skill-based game being played results in theadditional storage of game state data. In various other embodiments, thegaming system stores the game state data periodically. In one suchembodiment, at designated intervals, such as every millisecond, thegaming system stores the game state data. In another such embodiment,the gaming system stores the game state data each time a designatedobject or point (such as a checkpoint) is reached or encountered inassociation with the play of the skill-based game. For example,referring back to the illustrated example of the skill-based game ofFIG. 2, the gaming system stores game state data each time the playersuccessfully collects or accumulates a collection unit 212 with theturtle avatar 202. It should be appreciated that the gaming system maybe configured to store the game state data based on any other suitablecriteria or at any suitable point in time.

In one embodiment, as indicated by block 106 of FIG. 1, after aninitiation of the triggered skill-based game, the gaming system enablesa player to make one or more quantifiable skill inputs. A player's skillis determined and quantified by zero, one or more inputs by the player.These determined and quantified inputs tend to measure one or moreaspects of the player's skill. It should be appreciated that forpurposes of this application, skill includes: (i) physical skill, suchas, but not limited to: timing, aim, physical strength or anycombination thereof which is quantifiable by zero, one or more inputsmade by the player in association with the skill-based game; (ii) mentalskill (i.e., knowledge, reasoning, and/or strategy) which isquantifiable by zero, one or more inputs made by the player inassociation with the skill-based game; and (iii) any other type of skillwhich is quantifiable by zero, one or more inputs made by the player inassociation with the skill-based game.

In various embodiments, the player utilizes one or more skill inputdevices to make one or more quantifiable skill inputs. Examples of skillinput devices include, but are not limited to: joysticks, buttons, amouse or a plurality of mice, one or more trackballs, one or morepointing devices, one or more bodily motion trackers such as motionsensing devices for human-computer interaction, touchpads, touchscreens,one or more controllers with: (1) one or more motion sensing devices,(2) one or more proximity sensing devices, (3) one or more force sensingdevices (transducers), (4) one or more accelerometers, or any othersuitable skill input devices.

For example, referring back to FIG. 2, the gaming system enables theplayer to make one or more quantifiable skill inputs to influence (orotherwise control) the path of the turtle avatar 202 in the virtualunderwater world 200. In the illustrated example of FIG. 2, the gamingsystem presents the player with the choice of navigating the turtleavatar down one of two possible paths (i.e., path 222 to the left andpath 224 to the right). In this example, the gaming system providesappropriate messages such as DO YOU WANT YOUR TURTLE TO GO LEFT ORRIGHT?” and “STAY ON THE PATH TO COLLECT AS MANY COINS AS POSSIBLE!” tothe player visually, or through suitable audio or audiovisual displays.In the illustrative example of FIG. 2, the player makes one or morequantifiable skill inputs to influence (or otherwise control) the turtleavatar 202 to proceed down one of two possible paths. That is, theplayer's one or more quantifiable skill inputs directly affect thedirection in which the turtle avatar 202 proceeds (and thus affects theoutcome, the series of outcomes, the event or the sequence of events ofthe skill-based game). In the illustrated example of FIG. 2, theplayer's one or more quantifiable skill inputs influence the turtleavatar 202 to proceed down path 224 to the right in the displayedvirtual world 200 (and not down path 222 to the left in the displayedvirtual world 200).

By making one or more quantifiable skill inputs, the player manipulates,influences or otherwise controls one or more aspects of the skill-basedgame (and thus influences or otherwise affects the outcome of theskill-based game). In certain embodiments, different quantifiable skillinputs by the player influence a different event or a different sequenceof events which occur in association with the play of the skill-basedgame. That is, a first quantifiable skill input (or type of quantifiableskill input) by the player results in a first outcome, a first series ofoutcomes, a first event or a first sequence of events, while a seconddifferent quantifiable skill input (or type of quantifiable skill input)by the player results in a second outcome, a second series of outcomes,a second event or a second sequence of events. For example, in FIG. 2,if path 224 to the right includes an opportunity to collect a greaternumber of collection units 212 than path 222 to the left, then theplayer's one or more quantifiable skill inputs to influence the turtleavatar 202 to proceed down path 224 to the right (and any subsequentquantifiable skill inputs) result in the player having an opportunity(or potential) to collect or accumulate more collection units 212 thanif the player made one or more quantifiable skill inputs to influencethe turtle avatar 202 to proceed down path 222 to the left.

Referring back now to FIG. 1, in addition to enabling the player to makeone or more quantifiable skill inputs, the gaming system determineswhether a skill-based game interruption event occurred as indicated bydecision diamond 108. In one embodiment, a skill-based game interruptionevent occurs as a result of a power loss (or any other suitable errorstate), wherein the power loss (or error state) results in aninterruption to (or disruption of) the play of the skill-based game. Inother words, a skill-based game interruption event occurs when a loss ofpower (or other error state) renders a player unable to make (orotherwise prevents a player from making) quantifiable skill inputs toinfluence one or more outcomes of a skill-based game. Examples of gameplay interruptions include but are not limited to: a power failure, anerror, a malfunction, a tilt, a pause.

In various embodiments, if a skill-based game interruption event occurs,then following the skill-based game interruption event, the gamingsystem determines whether the interrupted skill-based game is ready tobe resumed by any available player, as indicated by decision diamond110. In one embodiment, upon the occurrence of a skill-based gameinterruption event, the gaming system enters a reboot cycle, wherein,upon completion of the reboot cycle, a determination is made as towhether the gaming system is ready to resume play of the interruptedskill-based game. In one embodiment, if the gaming system is not readyto resume play of the interrupted skill-based game, the gaming systemmonitors a status of the gaming system until the gaming system is readyto resume play of the interrupted skill-based game.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the gaming system is readyto resume play of the interrupted skill-based game, the gaming systemloads any applicable game state data that was stored prior to theoccurrence of the skill-based game interruption event, as indicated byblock 112. That is, the gaming system loads any applicable game statedata that was continuously, substantially continuously, or periodicallystored prior to the skill-based game interruption event (i.e., prior toa power failure or other error state). Such loading of the stored gamestate provides that the skill-based game is resumed from apoint-in-time, and/or location, and/or setting, and/or level, and/orinterval which existed prior to the interruption event and thus theresumed game play seamlessly continues.

In various embodiments, as indicated by block 114, after the gamingsystem loads the game state data that was stored prior to theskill-based game interruption, the gaming system provides a skill-basedgame resumption opportunity to resume the play of the interruptedskill-based game. In certain embodiments, the resumption opportunityoccurs after loading the applicable game state data and prior toresuming play of the interrupted skill-based game. In one suchembodiment, the gaming system enables the player to indicate theplayer's readiness to resume the play of the skill-based game. That is,prior to resuming the skill-based game, the gaming system provides theplayer an opportunity to indicate the player's readiness to resume theskill-based game.

In various embodiments, the skill-based game resumption opportunityincludes the gaming system displaying a prompt to a player of aninterrupted skill-based game requesting the player to indicate theplayer's readiness to resume play of the interrupted skill-based game.For example, FIG. 3 illustrates a player resumption opportunity for aninterrupted skill-based game. The gaming system prompts the player toindicate the player's readiness to resume play of the interruptedskill-based game. In this example, the gaming system providesappropriate messages such as “LET US KNOW WHEN YOU ARE READY TO RESUMEPLAYING THE GAME” to the player visually, or through suitable audio oraudiovisual displays. In this example, the gaming system additionallyprovides appropriate messages such as “YES, I'M READY” and “CLICK HERE”to the player visually, or through suitable audio or audiovisualdisplays. In this example, the player is prompted to indicate whetherthe player is ready to resume play of the skill-based game by clickingthe “CLICK HERE” portion of the message.

In various embodiments, if the player does not affirmatively (activelyor passively) indicate a readiness to resume play of the interruptedskill-based game, the gaming system designates a period of time, whereinat the expiration of the designated period of time, the gaming systemautomatically resumes play of the interrupted skill-based game. That is,although the player is presented with an opportunity to indicate areadiness to resume play of an interrupted skill-based game, in certainembodiments, if the player does not indicate such a readiness within adesignated period of time, the gaming system resumes play of theinterrupted skill-based game.

In one such embodiment, the gaming system displays a clock or meter toindicate the designated period of time to the player. In one embodiment,once the clock or meter reaches a designated amount (or otherwisereflects an expiration of the designated period of time), the gamingsystem resumes the play of the interrupted skill-based game. In oneembodiment, the resumption of the interrupted skill-based game (as aresult of the clock or meter reaching a designated amount) occursregardless of a readiness of the player to resume the interruptedskill-based game. That is, once the clock or meter reaches thedesignated amount, the gaming system resumes play of the interruptedskill-based game.

In various other embodiments, the resumption opportunity expires and thegaming system resumes the play of the interrupted skill-based game whenthe first occurs between: (i) the clock or meter reaches a designatedamount, or (ii) the player affirmatively indicates a readiness to resumeplay of the interrupted skill-based game. In one such embodiment, if theclock or meter indicates an amount different from the designated amount(i.e., there is an amount of time remaining in the resumptionopportunity), and the player affirmatively indicates a readiness toresume the play of the interrupted skill-based game, the gaming systemresumes the play of the interrupted skill-based game. That is, thegaming system resumes the play of the interrupted skill-based game ifthe player affirmatively indicates a readiness to resume the play of theinterrupted skill-based game regardless of any amount reflected by theclock or meter.

In various embodiments, the player indicates the player's readiness viaan input device. In one such embodiment, the player makes an input via askill input device that the player would otherwise use to influenceoutcomes of the skill-based game. In another embodiment, the playerindicates the player's readiness via an input device different from theskill input device the player would otherwise use to influence outcomesof the skill-based game. It should be appreciated that any suitablemethod by which the player indicates a readiness to resume play of theinterrupted skill-based game is envisioned for the present disclosure.It should also be appreciated that, by detecting a player's presenceand/or enabling a player to indicate a readiness to resume theinterrupted skill-based game, the gaming system minimizes (orsubstantially eliminates) the affect any game interruption event mayhave on the outcome of such a skill-based game. That is, in theseembodiments, by providing the players of skill-based games (or partialskill-based games) the opportunity to prepare and be ready for theresumption of such interrupted skill-based games (or partial skill-basedgames), the gaming system provides that the outcomes (and associatedawards) of such interrupted skill-based games (or partial skill-basedgames) are determined based, at least in part, on elements of playerskill (and not determined based on a player's preparedness orunpreparedness to resume such skill-based, or partial skill-based,games).

After providing the player resumption opportunity, the gaming systemresumes the interrupted skill-based game based on the loaded game state,as indicated in block 116 of FIG. 1. That is, the gaming systemrecreates the game-play environment and resumes play of the interruptedskill-based game from a game state (e.g., point-in-time, location,setting, level, interval, etc) that was stored prior to the skill-basedgame interruption event. In one such embodiment, the gaming systemrecreates the skill-based game from the loaded game state.

For example, as seen in FIG. 3, the gaming system recreates the virtualunderwater world 300, turtle avatar 302 and collection units 312 fromthe applicable loaded game state data that was stored prior to theskill-based game interruption event. It should be appreciated that theturtle avatar 302 in FIG. 3 (and any additional elements of the virtualunderwater world 300) is positioned to resume the play of theskill-based game from a point (or location) along a path whichcorresponds to the turtle avatar's path prior to the skill-based gameinterruption. In one embodiment, this position or location along thepath is a position that is different from a beginning position along thepath and different from an ending position along the path. In anotherembodiment, this position along the path is a position that correspondsto a beginning (or starting) position. In another embodiment, thisposition along the path corresponds to an ending position. It should beappreciated that this position along the path from which the gamingsystem resumes the play of the skill-based game may be any suitableposition, location, interval, point, point-in-time or the like.

In one embodiment, after the resumption of the play of the skill-basedgame, or if a skill-based game interruption event did not occur, thegaming system determines if a skill-based game outcome determinationevent has occurred, as indicated by decision diamond 118. In oneembodiment, a skill-based game outcome determination event occurs basedon time. For example, the gaming system determines a designated amountof time for the player to play (or otherwise complete) a skill-basedgame and a skill-based game outcome determination event occurs when thedesignated amount of time elapses (or otherwise expires). In anotherembodiment, the gaming system determines a designated number ofquantifiable skill inputs and a skill-based game outcome determinationevent occurs when a player utilizes the designated number ofquantifiable skill inputs. For example, the gaming system determinesthat a player is enabled to make ten quantifiable skill inputs tonavigate a car through a maze of city streets to collect collectionunits. When the player makes the tenth quantifiable skill input tonavigate the car through the maze of city streets, the skill-based gameoutcome determination event occurs. It should be appreciated that theskill-based game outcome determination event may occur based on anyother suitable event, method or criteria.

In one embodiment, if a skill-based game outcome determination event hasnot occurred, the gaming system returns to block 106 and continuesenabling the player to make one or more quantifiable skill inputs. Onthe other hand, as indicated by block 120, if a skill-based game outcomedetermination event has occurred in association with the play of theskill-based game, the gaming system determines a skill-based gameoutcome based, at least in part, on one or more of the quantifiableskill inputs made by the player. After determining the outcome for theskill-based game, the gaming system provides any awards associated withthe determined outcome, as indicated by block 122.

In certain embodiments, the gaming system determines one or moreoutcomes based on one or more quantifiable skill inputs made by theplayer in association with the play of a skill-based game. For example,in the turtle avatar example discussed above, after a skill-based gameoutcome determination event occurs, the gaming system determines anumber of collection units the player successfully collected, gatheredor otherwise accumulated (by making one or more quantifiable skillinputs).

In addition to providing players an opportunity to participate in anindividual skill-based game (as discussed above), the gaming systemprovides one or more players an opportunity to participate in acommunity or group skill-based game. In one such embodiment, theskill-based game is a cooperative community game wherein a plurality ofplayers cooperate or play together to win one or more awards. In anothersuch embodiment, the skill-based game is a competition community gamewherein a plurality of players compete or play against each other to winone or more awards. In these embodiments, the gaming system enables oneor more players to indicate a readiness to resume a community or groupskill-based game following an interruption event. That is, in certainembodiments, the gaming system enables a plurality of playersparticipating in an interrupted community skill-based game to indicate areadiness to resume the interrupted community skill-based game.

An example of a community skill-based game is illustrated in FIG. 4.This illustrated example of a community skill-based game is representedby a community shooter game. In this community shooter game, each of aplurality of players is represented by an avatar 402 including a virtualshooting device 412 in a virtual world 400. The gaming system of FIG. 4enables the plurality of players to each make one or more skill-basedinputs (which are each quantifiable and tend to measure a level of skillof each of the players), wherein the one or more skill-based inputsinfluence one or more outcomes (or events) to occur. For example, thegaming system enables a first player of the community shooter gameillustrated in FIG. 4 to make one or more inputs, wherein the one ormore skill-based inputs result in either one of: (i) the avatar that isrepresentative of the first player, shooting at, or eliminating asecond, different avatar that is representative of a second, differentplayer participating in the community shooter game (i.e., a firstdetermined skill-based game outcome for the first player), or (ii) theavatar that is representative of the first player being shot, shot at,or eliminated by a second, different avatar that is representative of asecond, different player participating in the community shooter game(i.e., a second determined skill-based game outcome for the firstplayer).

In various embodiments, if an interruption event occurs at one of, at aplurality of, or at each of a plurality of gaming devices associatedwith a play of a community skill-based game, the gaming system disclosedherein provides each of the players a resumption opportunity prior toresuming the play of the interrupted community skill-based game. Thatis, because one player's input may influence another player's outcome,the gaming system provides a resumption opportunity such that theoutcome of the interrupted community skill-based game is determinedbased, at least in part, on elements of each player's skill (and notdetermined based on each player's preparedness or unpreparedness toresume such interrupted community skill-based game or partialskill-based game). As such, by enabling players of a community orskill-based game to indicate a readiness to resume play of aninterrupted community skill-based game, the gaming system minimizes (orsubstantially eliminates) the effects of an interruption on such a game.

It should be appreciated that if the gaming system were to automaticallyresume play of an interrupted community skill-based game (without firstproviding players of the interrupted community skill-based game aresumption opportunity as discussed herein) and certain players areready to resume play of an interrupted community skill-based game whilecertain other players are not ready to resume play of the interruptedcommunity skill-based game, then those players that are ready to resumeplay of the interrupted community skill-based game have an unfairadvantage over those players that are not ready. For example, in acommunity shooter game, if the gaming system automatically resumes playof a skill-based game after an occurrence of an interruption event andcertain players are ready and certain other players are not ready, thenthose players that are ready to resume play have an unfair advantageover those players that are not ready. In this example, once the gamingsystem resumes play of the interrupted community skill-based game, thoseplayers that are ready to resume will easily eliminate any players thatare not ready. Accordingly, by providing the player resumptionopportunity discussed herein, these unfair advantages are minimized (orsubstantially eliminated).

For example, as seen in FIG. 5A, the gaming system prompts four players(Player 1, Player 2, Player 3 and Player 4 as indicated by identifiers502, 504, 506 and 508, respectively) to indicate a readiness to resumeplay of an interrupted community skill-based game and provides each ofthe four players one minute (as indicated by timer 510) to indicatetheir readiness to resume play of the interrupted community skill-basedgame.

Referring now to the illustrated example of FIG. 5B, after seventeenseconds elapse (i.e., timer 510 has decreased from one minute toforty-three seconds), Player 1, Player 3 and Player 4 have eachindicated a readiness to resume play of the interrupted communityskill-based game and Player 2 has not indicated a readiness to resumeplay of the interrupted community skill-based game. In this illustratedexample, because one or more of the four prompted players (i.e., Player2) has not affirmatively (either actively or passively) indicated areadiness to resume play of the interrupted community skill-based game,and because timer 510 has not reached zero, the gaming system does notresume play of the interrupted community skill-based game. That is, inthe illustrated example of FIG. 5B, while Player 1, Player 3 and Player4 are each ready to resume play of the interrupted community skill-basedgame, the gaming system does not resume play of the interruptedcommunity skill based game. As such, the gaming system of this exampledoes not provide Player 1, Player 3 or Player 4 an advantage over Player2 following the interruption event.

Referring now to the illustrated example of FIG. 5C, after thirty-nineseconds (i.e., timer 510 decreases from one minute to twenty-oneseconds), each of the four prompted players has indicated a readiness toresume play of the interrupted community skill-based game. Accordingly,because each of the four prompted players of FIG. 5C are ready to resumeplay of the interrupted community skill-based game, the gaming systemresumes play of the interrupted community skill-based game. That is,while the timer has not reached zero, because each of the four promptedplayers is ready to resume play of the interrupted community skill-basedgame, the gaming system resumes play of the interrupted communityskill-based game.

As indicated above, in certain embodiments, the gaming system resumesplay of the interrupted community skill-based game when the first occursbetween: (i) a clock or meter reaches a designated amount, or (ii) eachof the players of an interrupted community skill-based gameaffirmatively indicates a readiness to resume play of the interruptedcommunity skill-based game. In these embodiments, the gaming systemresumes play of the interrupted community skill based game when theclock or meter reaches the designated amount (regardless of whether eachof the players included in the interrupted community skill-based gameare ready to resume play of the interrupted community skill-based game).For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the gaming system prompts each offour players (Player 1, Player 2, Player 3 and Player 4) to indicate areadiness to resume an interrupted community skill-based game. In thisillustrated example, the gaming system resumes the interrupted communityskill-based game because the timer (i.e., the clock/meter) has reachedzero (i.e., the designated amount). That is, while certain of theprompted players (i.e., Player 2 and Player 3) have not affirmativelyindicated a readiness to resume the interrupted community skill-basedgame, following giving such players the opportunity to indicated areadiness to resume, the gaming system resumes play of the interruptedcommunity skill-based game.

It should be appreciated that, in certain embodiments, if no playerincluded in an interrupted community skill-based game indicates areadiness to resume play of the interrupted community skill-based game,then the gaming system does not resume play of the interrupted communityskill-based game. In other words, in certain embodiments, an interruptedcommunity skill-based game does not resume regardless of whether a meteror clock reaches a designated amount. For example, referring to FIG. 7,while timer 710 reaches zero (i.e., a designated amount), the gamingsystem does not resume play of the interrupted community skill-basedgame. That is, in this illustrated example of FIG. 7, the gaming systemdoes not resume play of the interrupted community skill-based gamebecause none of the four players have indicated a readiness (eitheractively or passively) to resume play of the interrupted communityskill-based game.

As discussed above, in various embodiments, the gaming system storesgame state data pertaining to the play of the triggered skill-based gamecontinuously, substantially continuously or periodically. In certainembodiments, the gaming system stores game state data based on theprogress (or sequence of events which have occurred in association with)of the skill-based game. That is, each time a designated point isencountered (such as a check point) or a specific task is completed(such as the collection of a collection unit), the gaming system storesthe game state data.

For example, FIG. 8 illustrates a skill-based game including a virtualworld 800 and a helicopter 802, wherein a player utilizes one or moreinput devices (such as arrows 812, 814 and 816) to make one or moreskill-based inputs to navigate the helicopter 802 through a series ofrings of fire 822. In the illustrated example of FIG. 8, the gamingsystem stores game state data each time the player successfullynavigates the helicopter 802 through a ring of fire 822. In thisillustrated example, each ring of fire 822 is representative of acheckpoint such that, in the event of a power failure (or other gameinterruption), the gaming system resumes play from the last encounteredring of fire 822 (i.e., checkpoint). While the illustrated example ofFIG. 8 pertains to a single player, it should be appreciated that thegaming system includes checkpoints in multi-player environments suchthat each time a checkpoint (i.e., a designated point, location,interval, setting, etc) is encountered, the gaming system stores thegame state data.

As discussed above, in various embodiments, the gaming system enables aplayer of an individual skill-based game (or one or more players of acommunity skill-based game) to indicate a readiness to resume theskill-based game after an interruption event occurs. In certainembodiments, players actively indicate a readiness to resume play of aninterrupted skill-based game. In various other embodiments, playerspassively indicate a readiness to resume play of an interruptedskill-based game. In one such embodiment, the gaming system detects aplayer's presence at a gaming device through one or more sensingdevices. According to specific embodiments, the gaming device or gamingsystem detects the presence of a player by virtue of one or more of avariety of different types of technologies such as: cameras, pressuresensors (e.g., embedded in a seat, bumper, table top, etc.), motiondetectors, image sensors, signal detectors (e.g., RFID signaldetectors), dealer and/or player input devices, etc. In variousembodiments, the readiness of one or more players of an interruptedskill-based game is based on the detection of those one or more players.For example, one or more cameras associated with a gaming machinedetect: (1) a player's presence at the gaming machine (e.g., the playeris standing in front of the gaming machine), or (2) a player'sengagement (e.g., the player is looking at a screen of the gamingmachine, or the player is touching a feature/element of the gamingmachine). It should be appreciated that the gaming machine detectsplayer presence via certain gaming machine features/elements. Forexample, the gaming machine detects tactile feedback to determine playerpresence (e.g., vibrations of a gaming machine feature/element such as abutton or joystick).

In one alternative embodiment, in response to a player of an individualskill-based game (or in response to a plurality of players of acommunity skill-based game) indicating a readiness to resume play of aninterrupted skill-based game, the gaming system displays an indicationto the player (or players) that the game is about to resume. In one suchembodiment, in response to a player indicating a readiness to resumeplay of an interrupted skill-based game, the gaming system designates anamount of time, after which, the gaming system resumes play of theinterrupted skill-based game. For example, after a player indicates areadiness to resume play of an interrupted skill-based game, the gamingsystem displays or otherwise indicates to the player that play willresume three seconds. In this example, the gaming system providesappropriate messages such as “GET READY, THE GAME WILL RESUME ON THECOUNT OF THREE!” and “THREE, TWO, ONE, GO!” to the player visually, orthrough suitable audio or audiovisual displays. It should be appreciatedthat by indicating to the player (or players) that the game is about toresume, the gaming system facilitates that the player (or players) arenot surprised when the play resumes. Accordingly, the gaming systemminimizes (or substantially eliminates) the effects of any interruptionsto the play of skill-based games.

In addition to storing game state data in anticipation of aninterruption event, such as a power failure, in another alternativeembodiment, the gaming system stores game state data in anticipation ofone or more players making an input to pause a play of a skill-basedgame. In one such embodiment, the gaming system enables a player of anindividual skill-based game (or one or more players of a communityskill-based game) to make an input to pause (or otherwise suspend) playof the skill-based game. After pausing a play of a game, and in responseto a determination to resume play of the paused skill-based game (as aresult of an input by one or more players to pause the skill-based game)the gaming system loads game state data stored prior to the input by theone or more players to pause the skill-based game.

In various other embodiments, the gaming system determines a pluralityof skill-based game outcomes wherein, in addition to determining one ormore outcomes based, at least in part, on one or more quantifiable skillinputs made by the player, the gaming system determines one or moreoutcomes independent of any skill-based inputs made by the player. Inthese embodiments, the gaming system provides awards based on theplurality of determined outcomes. That is, in certain embodiments, thegaming system provides both of: (i) one or more awards based on one ormore quantifiable skill inputs made by a player of a skill-based game,and (ii) one or more awards based on one or more outcomes determinedindependent of any quantifiable skill inputs made by the player of theskill-based game.

While the above illustrated example includes storing game state dataeach time a designated object is encountered, in various alternativeembodiments, the gaming system designates a quantity of zero, one ormore designated objects and when a quantity of designated objectsencountered in association with the play of the game is equivalent to(or within a designated range of) the designated quantity, the gamingsystem stores the game state data. For example, the gaming system storesthe game state data each time a player successfully navigates the turtleavatar of FIG. 2 to collect five collection units. In another example,the gaming system stores the game state data each time a playersuccessfully navigates the helicopter of FIG. 8 through three rings offire. It should be appreciated that, in certain embodiments, the gamingsystem stored the game state data based on a combination of events(e.g., collection units and checkpoints). It should be appreciated thatthe gaming system may be configured to store game state data based onany suitable criteria.

In one alternative embodiment, the designated quantity of objectsencountered before the gaming system stores the game state data canvary. For example, in a first play of a game, the designated quantity ofobjects encountered before the gaming system stores the game state datais a first designated quantity. In a second play of the game, thedesignated quantity of objects encountered before the gaming systemstores the game state data is a second, different designated quantity.It should be appreciated that the designated quantity can vary from oneplay of a skill-based game to another play of the skill-based game orthe designated quantity can vary within a single play of a skill-basedgame.

In various embodiments, the gaming system loads the stored game statedata and resumes play based on the loaded game state data. In oneembodiment, the loaded game state data corresponds to a beginning pointof a game. In another embodiment, the loaded game state data correspondsto an end point of a game. In yet another embodiment, the loaded gamestate data corresponds to a point after a beginning point of a game andprior to an ending point of the game.

In one embodiment, if an interruption event occurs, the gaming systemrestores/recreates a game-play environment based on the loaded gamestate data and resumes play based on the loaded game state data. In oneembodiment, play resumes from any point-in-time, and/or location, and/orsetting, and/or level, and/or interval prior to the interruption event.For example, the gaming system resumes play from a last encounteredcheckpoint, a last encountered object or collection unit, and/or a lastacquired object or collection unit. It should be appreciated that, incertain embodiments, the gaming system resumes play from anypoint-in-time, and/or location, and/or setting, and/or level, and/orinterval prior to a last encountered checkpoint, a last encounteredobject or collection unit, and/or a last acquired object or collectionunit.

In one embodiment, the gaming system enables acquisition of collectionunits (and/or objects) acquired and/or encountered prior to theinterruption event. In another embodiment, the gaming system prevents orotherwise prohibits any acquisition of any collection units (and/orobjects) that were acquired and/or encountered prior to the interruptionevent. For example, in the skill-based game illustrated in FIG. 2, thegaming system prevents or otherwise prohibits the acquisition of anycollection units 212 that were encountered and/or acquired prior to theinterruption event. That is, in addition to preventing any acquisitionof any collection units that were acquired prior to the interruptionevent, the gaming system additionally prevents any acquisition of anycollection units that were encountered but were not successfullyacquired prior to the interruption event.

In one such embodiment, the gaming system prevents such acquisitions byremoving from the game-play environment (i.e., not including, notdisplaying, not recreating, not illustrating and/or not representing)any encountered objects (or collection units) that were encountered oracquired prior to an interruption event such that the previouslyencountered objects (or collection units) are not included, displayed,recreated, illustrated and/or represented after play is resumed. Inanother such embodiment, the gaming system recreates the game-playenvironment and includes, displays, recreates, illustrates and/orrepresents any previously encountered objects or collection units. Inthis embodiment, the gaming system ghosts such objects or collectionunits (i.e., visually indicates such objects or collection units butprevents acquisition of such objects or collection units). It should beappreciated that, in this embodiment, while objects or collection unitspreviously encountered or acquired are included, displayed, recreated,illustrated and/or represented in the recreated game-play environment,the gaming system still prevents any acquisition of such objects orcollection units. It should also be appreciated that by ghosting suchobjects or collection units, the gaming system indicates which objectsor collection units were previously encountered or acquired.Additionally, regarding the path game example illustrated in FIG. 2, anyghosted collection units encountered and/or acquired prior to theinterruption event are representative of the path prior to theinterruption event.

In one alternative embodiment, the stored and loaded game state datacorresponds to both: (i) a last encountered object, and (ii) a lastencountered designated point. For example, the loaded game state datacorresponds to a last encountered checkpoint and a last encounteredcollection unit. In this example, the gaming system resumes play of theskill-based game after the last encountered checkpoint and removes, inaddition to the last encountered collection unit, all collection unitsprior to the last encountered collection unit. In various embodiments,the gaming system stores game state data in persistent storage such aNVRAM, a hard drive, a solid state drive, or any other suitablepersistent storage. In various embodiments, the gaming system storesgame state data locally. In various other embodiments, the gaming systemstore game state data remotely.

In one embodiment, the gaming system causes at least one display deviceof the player's gaming device to display the skill-based game. Inanother embodiment, in addition or in alternative to each gaming devicedisplaying the skill-based game, the gaming system causes one or morecommunity or overhead display devices to display part or all of themultiple skill-based game to one or more other players or bystanderseither at a gaming establishment or viewing over a network, such as theinternet. In another embodiment, in addition or in alternative to eachgaming device displaying the skill-based game, the gaming system causesone or more internet sites to each display the skill-based game suchthat a player is enabled to log on from a personal web browser. Inanother such embodiment, the gaming system enables the player to playone or more primary games on one device while viewing the skill-basedgame from another device. For example, the gaming system enables theplayer to play one or more primary games on a mobile phone while viewingthe status of the skill-based game on a desktop or laptop computer.

In one embodiment, as mentioned above, a skill-based game triggeringevent occurs based on an outcome associated with one or more plays ofany primary game and/or an outcome associated with one or more plays ofany secondary game of the EGMs in the gaming system. In one embodiment,such determinations are symbol driven based on the generation of one ormore designated symbols or symbol combinations. In various embodiments,a generation of a designated symbol (or sub-symbol) or a designated setof symbols (or sub-symbols) over one or more plays of a primary gamecauses a skill-based game triggering event to occur.

In another embodiment, as also mentioned above, the gaming system doesnot provide any apparent reasons to the players for a skill-based gametriggering event to occur. In these embodiments, such determinations arenot triggered by an event in a primary game or based specifically on anyof the plays of any primary game or on any of the plays of any secondarygame of the EGMs in the gaming system. That is, these events occurwithout any explanation or alternatively with simple explanations.

In one embodiment, a skill-based game triggering event occurs based onan amount of coin-in. In this embodiment, the gaming system determinesif an amount of coin-in wagered at one or more EGMs in the gaming systemreaches or exceeds a designated amount of coin-in (i.e., a thresholdcoin-in amount). Upon the amount of coin-in wagered at one or more EGMsin the gaming system reaching or exceeding the bonus threshold coin-inamount, the gaming system causes one or more of such events orconditions to occur. In different embodiments, the threshold coin-inamount is predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on aplayer's status (such as determined through a player tracking system),determined based on a generated symbol or symbol combination, determinedbased on a random determination by the central controller, determinedbased on a random determination at the EGM, determined based on one ormore side wagers placed, determined based on the player's primary gamewager, determined based on time (such as the time of day) or determinedbased on any other suitable method or criteria.

In another alternative embodiment, a skill-based game triggering eventoccurs based on an amount of coin-out. In this embodiment, the gamingsystem determines if an amount of coin-out provided by one or more EGMsin the gaming system reaches or exceeds a designated amount of coin-out(i.e., a threshold coin-out amount). Upon the amount of coin-outprovided at one or more EGMs in the gaming system reaching or exceedingthe threshold coin-out amount, the gaming system causes one or more ofsuch events or conditions to occur. In different embodiments, thethreshold coin-out amount is predetermined, randomly determined,determined based on a player's status (such as determined through aplayer tracking system), determined based on a generated symbol orsymbol combination, determined based on a random determination by thecentral controller, determined based on a random determination at theEGM, determined based on one or more side wagers placed, determinedbased on the player's primary game wager, determined based on time (suchas the time of day) or determined based on any other suitable method orcriteria.

In another alternative embodiment, a skill-based game triggering eventoccurs based on a predefined variable reaching a defined parameterthreshold. For example, when the 500,000^(th) player has played an EGMof the gaming system (ascertained from a player tracking system), one ormore of such events or conditions occur. In different embodiments, thepredefined parameter thresholds include a length of time, a length oftime after a certain dollar amount is hit, a wager level threshold for aspecific device (which EGM is the first to contribute $250,000), anumber of EGMs active, or any other parameter that defines a suitablethreshold.

In another alternative embodiment, a skill-based game triggering eventoccurs based on a quantity of games played. In this embodiment, aquantity of games played is set for when one or more of such events orconditions will occur. In one embodiment, such a set quantity of gamesplayed is based on historic data.

In another alternative embodiment, a skill-based game triggering eventoccurs based on time. In this embodiment, a time is set for when one ormore of such events or conditions will occur. In one embodiment, such aset time is based on historic data.

In another alternative embodiment, a skill-based game triggering eventoccurs based upon gaming system operator defined player eligibilityparameters stored on a player tracking system (such as via a playertracking card or other suitable manner). In this embodiment, theparameters for eligibility are defined by the gaming system operatorbased on any suitable criterion. In one embodiment, the gaming systemrecognizes the player's identification (via the player tracking system)when the player inserts or otherwise associates their player trackingcard in the EGM. The gaming system determines the player tracking levelof the player and if the current player tracking level defined by thegaming system operator is eligible for one or more of such events orconditions. In one embodiment, the gaming system operator definesminimum bet levels required for such events or conditions to occur basedon the player's card level.

In another alternative embodiment, a skill-based game triggering eventoccurs based on a system determination, including one or more randomselections by the central controller. In one embodiment, as describedabove, the central controller tracks all active EGMs and the wagers theyplaced. In one such embodiment, based on the EGM's state as well as oneor more wager pools associated with the EGM, the central controllerdetermines whether to one or more of such events or conditions willoccur. In one such embodiment, the player who consistently places ahigher wager is more likely to be associated with an occurrence of oneor more of such events or conditions than a player who consistentlyplaces a minimum wager. It should be appreciated that the criteria fordetermining whether a player is in active status or inactive status fordetermining if one or more of such events occur may the same as,substantially the same as, or different than the criteria fordetermining whether a player is in active status or inactive status foranother one of such events to occur.

In another alternative embodiment, a skill-based game triggering eventoccurs based on a determination of if any numbers allotted to an EGMmatch a randomly selected number. In this embodiment, upon or prior toeach play of each EGM, an EGM selects a random number from a range ofnumbers and during each primary game, the EGM allocates the first Nnumbers in the range, where N is the number of credits (or a designatedpercentage of the number of credits) bet by the player in that primarygame. At the end of the primary game, the randomly selected number iscompared with the numbers allocated to the player and if a match occurs,one or more of such events or conditions occur. It should be appreciatedthat any suitable manner of causing a skill-based game triggering eventto occur may be implemented in accordance with the gaming system andmethod disclosed herein.

It should be appreciated that any of the above-described skill-basedgame triggering events may be combined in one or more differentembodiments.

It should be appreciated that in different embodiments, one or more of:

-   -   i. when a skill-based game triggering event occurs;    -   ii. when a skill-based game is initiated;    -   iii. what type of skill-based game to initiate;    -   iv. whether to initiate a skill-based game or a        partial-skill-based game;    -   v. which type of skill to associate with the skill-based game;    -   vi. which type of player skill inputs to enable one or more        players to make;    -   vii. a quantity of player skill inputs to enable one or more        players to make;    -   viii. a quantity of players participating in a skill-based game;    -   ix. one or more amounts of time allotted for a play of a        skill-based game;    -   x. one or more points in time at which the gaming system stores        game state data;    -   xi. one or more intervals at which gaming system stores game        state data;    -   xii. the quantity of one or more game objects (i.e.,        checkpoints, collection units, etc) included in a skill-based        game;    -   xiii. the locations of one or more game objects (i.e.,        checkpoints, collection units, etc) included in a skill-based        game;    -   xiv. one or more awards based on one or more outcomes determined        independent of any quantifiable skill inputs made by the player        of the skill-based game;    -   xv. one or more awards provided in association with a play of a        skill-based game;    -   xvi. an amount of time provided to players to indicate a        readiness to resume play of an interrupted skill-based game;    -   xvii. an amount of time after players indicate a readiness to        resume play of an interrupted skill-based game and the        resumption of that interrupted skill-based game;    -   xviii. an amount of time after the gaming system loads        previously stored game state data for an interrupted skill-based        game and before the gaming system resumes play of the        interrupted skill-based game;    -   xix. when to resume an interrupted skill-based game;    -   xx. the skill-based game outcome determination event;    -   xxi. any event or trigger association with a skill-based game;        and    -   xxii. any determination disclosed herein;        is/are predetermined, randomly determined, randomly determined        based on one or more weighted percentages, determined based on a        generated symbol or symbol combination, determined independent        of a generated symbol or symbol combination, determined based on        a random determination by the central controller, determined        independent of a random determination by the central controller,        determined based on a random determination at the gaming system,        determined independent of a random determination at the gaming        system, determined based on at least one play of at least one        game, determined independent of at least one play of at least        one game, determined based on a player's selection, determined        independent of a player's selection, determined based on one or        more side wagers placed, determined independent of one or more        side wagers placed, determined based on the player's primary        game wager, determined independent of the player's primary game        wager, determined based on time (such as the time of day),        determined independent of time (such as the time of day),        determined based on an amount of coin-in accumulated in one or        more pools, determined independent of an amount of coin-in        accumulated in one or more pools, determined based on a status        of the player (i.e., a player tracking status), determined        independent of a status of the player (i.e., a player tracking        status), determined based on one or more other determinations        disclosed herein, determined independent of any other        determination disclosed herein or determined based on any other        suitable method or criteria.

Gaming Systems

It should be appreciated that the above-described embodiments of thepresent disclosure may be implemented in accordance with or inconjunction with one or more of a variety of different types of gamingsystems, such as, but not limited to, those described below.

The present disclosure contemplates a variety of different gamingsystems each having one or more of a plurality of different features,attributes, or characteristics. It should be appreciated that a “gamingsystem” as used herein refers to various configurations of: (a) one ormore central servers, central controllers, or remote hosts; (b) one ormore electronic gaming machines (“EGMs”); and/or (c) one or morepersonal gaming devices, such as desktop computers, laptop computers,tablet computers or computing devices, personal digital assistants(PDAs), mobile telephones such as smart phones, and other mobilecomputing devices.

Thus, in various embodiments, the gaming system of the presentdisclosure includes: (a) one or more EGMs in combination with one ormore central servers, central controllers, or remote hosts; (b) one ormore personal gaming devices in combination with one or more centralservers, central controllers, or remote hosts; (c) one or more personalgaming devices in combination with one or more EGMs; (d) one or morepersonal gaming devices, one or more EGMs, and one or more centralservers, central controllers, or remote hosts in combination with oneanother; (e) a single EGM; (f) a plurality of EGMs in combination withone another; (g) a single personal gaming device; (h) a plurality ofpersonal gaming devices in combination with one another; (i) a singlecentral server, central controller, or remote host; and/or (j) aplurality of central servers, central controllers, or remote hosts incombination with one another.

For brevity and clarity, each EGM and each personal gaming device of thepresent disclosure is collectively referred herein as an “EGM.”Additionally, for brevity and clarity, unless specifically statedotherwise, “EGM” as used herein represents one EGM or a plurality ofEGMs, and “central server, central controller, or remote host” as usedherein represents one central server, central controller, or remote hostor a plurality of central servers, central controllers, or remote hosts.

As noted above, in various embodiments, the gaming system includes anEGM in combination with a central server, central controller, or remotehost. In such embodiments, the EGM is configured to communicate with thecentral server, central controller, or remote host through a datanetwork or remote communication link. In certain such embodiments, theEGM is configured to communicate with another EGM through the same datanetwork or remote communication link or through a different data networkor remote communication link. For example, the gaming system illustratedin FIG. 9A includes a plurality of EGMs 1010 that are each configured tocommunicate with a central server, central controller, or remote host1056 through a data network 1058.

In certain embodiments in which the gaming system includes an EGM incombination with a central server, central controller, or remote host,the central server, central controller, or remote host is any suitablecomputing device (such as a server) that includes at least one processorand at least one memory device or storage device. As further describedherein, the EGM includes at least one EGM processor configured totransmit and receive data or signals representing events, messages,commands, or any other suitable information between the EGM and thecentral server, central controller, or remote host. The at least oneprocessor of that EGM is configured to execute the events, messages, orcommands represented by such data or signals in conjunction with theoperation of the EGM. Moreover, the at least one processor of thecentral server, central controller, or remote host is configured totransmit and receive data or signals representing events, messages,commands, or any other suitable information between the central server,central controller, or remote host and the EGM. The at least oneprocessor of the central server, central controller, or remote host isconfigured to execute the events, messages, or commands represented bysuch data or signals in conjunction with the operation of the centralserver, central controller, or remote host. It should be appreciatedthat one, more, or each of the functions of the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host may be performed by the at least oneprocessor of the EGM. It should be further appreciated that one, more,or each of the functions of the at least one processor of the EGM may beperformed by the at least one processor of the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host.

In certain such embodiments, computerized instructions for controllingany games (such as any primary or base games and/or any secondary orbonus games) displayed by the EGM are executed by the central server,central controller, or remote host. In such “thin client” embodiments,the central server, central controller, or remote host remotely controlsany games (or other suitable interfaces) displayed by the EGM, and theEGM is utilized to display such games (or suitable interfaces) and toreceive one or more inputs or commands. In other such embodiments,computerized instructions for controlling any games displayed by the EGMare communicated from the central server, central controller, or remotehost to the EGM and are stored in at least one memory device of the EGM.In such “thick client” embodiments, the at least one processor of theEGM executes the computerized instructions to control any games (orother suitable interfaces) displayed by the EGM.

In various embodiments in which the gaming system includes a pluralityof EGMs, one or more of the EGMs are thin client EGMs and one or more ofthe EGMs are thick client EGMs. In other embodiments in which the gamingsystem includes one or more EGMs, certain functions of one or more ofthe EGMs are implemented in a thin client environment, and certain otherfunctions of one or more of the EGMs are implemented in a thick clientenvironment. In one such embodiment in which the gaming system includesan EGM and a central server, central controller, or remote host,computerized instructions for controlling any primary or base gamesdisplayed by the EGM are communicated from the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host to the EGM in a thick client configuration,and computerized instructions for controlling any secondary or bonusgames or other functions displayed by the EGM are executed by thecentral server, central controller, or remote host in a thin clientconfiguration.

In certain embodiments in which the gaming system includes: (a) an EGMconfigured to communicate with a central server, central controller, orremote host through a data network; and/or (b) a plurality of EGMsconfigured to communicate with one another through a data network, thedata network is a local area network (LAN) in which the EGMs are locatedsubstantially proximate to one another and/or the central server,central controller, or remote host. In one example, the EGMs and thecentral server, central controller, or remote host are located in agaming establishment or a portion of a gaming establishment.

In other embodiments in which the gaming system includes: (a) an EGMconfigured to communicate with a central server, central controller, orremote host through a data network; and/or (b) a plurality of EGMsconfigured to communicate with one another through a data network, thedata network is a wide area network (WAN) in which one or more of theEGMs are not necessarily located substantially proximate to another oneof the EGMs and/or the central server, central controller, or remotehost. For example, one or more of the EGMs are located: (a) in an areaof a gaming establishment different from an area of the gamingestablishment in which the central server, central controller, or remotehost is located; or (b) in a gaming establishment different from thegaming establishment in which the central server, central controller, orremote host is located. In another example, the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host is not located within a gaming establishmentin which the EGMs are located. It should be appreciated that in certainembodiments in which the data network is a WAN, the gaming systemincludes a central server, central controller, or remote host and an EGMeach located in a different gaming establishment in a same geographicarea, such as a same city or a same state. It should be appreciated thatgaming systems in which the data network is a WAN are substantiallyidentical to gaming systems in which the data network is a LAN, thoughthe quantity of EGMs in such gaming systems may vary relative to oneanother.

In further embodiments in which the gaming system includes: (a) an EGMconfigured to communicate with a central server, central controller, orremote host through a data network; and/or (b) a plurality of EGMsconfigured to communicate with one another through a data network, thedata network is an internet or an intranet. In certain such embodiments,an internet browser of the EGM is usable to access an internet game pagefrom any location where an internet connection is available. In one suchembodiment, after the internet game page is accessed, the centralserver, central controller, or remote host identifies a player prior toenabling that player to place any wagers on any plays of any wageringgames. In one example, the central server, central controller, or remotehost identifies the player by requiring a player account of the playerto be logged into via an input of a unique username and passwordcombination assigned to the player. It should be appreciated, however,that the central server, central controller, or remote host may identifythe player in any other suitable manner, such as by validating a playertracking identification number associated with the player; by reading aplayer tracking card or other smart card inserted into a card reader (asdescribed below); by validating a unique player identification numberassociated with the player by the central server, central controller, orremote host; or by identifying the EGM, such as by identifying the MACaddress or the IP address of the internet facilitator. In variousembodiments, once the central server, central controller, or remote hostidentifies the player, the central server, central controller, or remotehost enables placement of one or more wagers on one or more plays of oneor more primary or base games and/or one or more secondary or bonusgames, and displays those plays via the internet browser of the EGM.

It should be appreciated that the central server, central controller, orremote host and the EGM are configured to connect to the data network orremote communications link in any suitable manner. In variousembodiments, such a connection is accomplished via: a conventional phoneline or other data transmission line, a digital subscriber line (DSL), aT-1 line, a coaxial cable, a fiber optic cable, a wireless or wiredrouting device, a mobile communications network connection (such as acellular network or mobile internet network), or any other suitablemedium. It should be appreciated that the expansion in the quantity ofcomputing devices and the quantity and speed of internet connections inrecent years increases opportunities for players to use a variety ofEGMs to play games from an ever-increasing quantity of remote sites. Itshould also be appreciated that the enhanced bandwidth of digitalwireless communications may render such technology suitable for some orall communications, particularly if such communications are encrypted.Higher data transmission speeds may be useful for enhancing thesophistication and response of the display and interaction with players.

EGM Components

In various embodiments, an EGM includes at least one processorconfigured to operate with at least one memory device, at least oneinput device, and at least one output device. The at least one processormay be any suitable processing device or set of processing devices, suchas a microprocessor, a microcontroller-based platform, a suitableintegrated circuit, or one or more application-specific integratedcircuits (ASICs). FIG. 9B illustrates an example EGM including aprocessor 1012.

As generally noted above, the at least one processor of the EGM isconfigured to communicate with, configured to access, and configured toexchange signals with at least one memory device or data storage device.In various embodiments, the at least one memory device of the EGMincludes random access memory (RAM), which can include non-volatile RAM(NVRAM), magnetic RAM (MRAM), ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), and other formsas commonly understood in the gaming industry. In other embodiments, theat least one memory device includes read only memory (ROM). In certainembodiments, the at least one memory device of the EGM includes flashmemory and/or EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read onlymemory). The example EGM illustrated in FIG. 9B includes a memory device1014. It should be appreciated that any other suitable magnetic,optical, and/or semiconductor memory may operate in conjunction with theEGM disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, the at least one processorof the EGM and the at least one memory device of the EGM both residewithin a cabinet of the EGM (as described below). In other embodiments,at least one of the at least one processor of the EGM and the at leastone memory device of the EGM reside outside the cabinet of the EGM (asdescribed below).

In certain embodiments, as generally described above, the at least onememory device of the EGM stores program code and instructions executableby the at least one processor of the EGM to control the EGM. The atleast one memory device of the EGM also stores other operating data,such as image data, event data, input data, random number generators(RNGs) or pseudo-RNGs, paytable data or information, and/or applicablegame rules that relate to the play of one or more games on the EGM (suchas primary or base games and/or secondary or bonus games as describedbelow). In various embodiments, part or all of the program code and/orthe operating data described above is stored in at least one detachableor removable memory device including, but not limited to, a cartridge, adisk, a CD ROM, a DVD, a USB memory device, or any other suitablenon-transitory computer readable medium. In certain such embodiments, anoperator (such as a gaming establishment operator) and/or a player usessuch a removable memory device in an EGM to implement at least part ofthe present disclosure. In other embodiments, part or all of the programcode and/or the operating data is downloaded to the at least one memorydevice of the EGM through any suitable data network described above(such as an interne or intranet).

In various embodiments, the EGM includes one or more input devices. Theinput devices may include any suitable device that enables an inputsignal to be produced and received by the at least one processor of theEGM. The example EGM illustrated in FIG. 9B includes at least one inputdevice 1030. One input device of the EGM is a payment device configuredto communicate with the at least one processor of the EGM to fund theEGM. In certain embodiments, the payment device includes one or more of:(a) a bill acceptor into which paper money is inserted to fund the EGM;(b) a ticket acceptor into which a ticket or a voucher is inserted tofund the EGM; (c) a coin slot into which coins or tokens are inserted tofund the EGM; (d) a reader or a validator for credit cards, debit cards,or credit slips into which a credit card, debit card, or credit slip isinserted to fund the EGM; (e) a player identification card reader intowhich a player identification card is inserted to fund the EGM; or (f)any suitable combination thereof. FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate exampleEGMs that each include the following payment devices: (a) a combinedbill and ticket acceptor 1128, and (b) a coin slot 1126.

In one embodiment, the EGM includes a payment device configured toenable the EGM to be funded via an electronic funds transfer, such as atransfer of funds from a bank account. In another embodiment, the EGMincludes a payment device configured to communicate with a mobile deviceof a player, such as a cell phone, a radio frequency identification tag,or any other suitable wired or wireless device, to retrieve relevantinformation associated with that player to fund the EGM. It should beappreciated that when the EGM is funded, the at least one processordetermines the amount of funds entered and displays the correspondingamount on a credit display or any other suitable display as describedbelow.

In various embodiments, one or more input devices of the EGM are one ormore game play activation devices that are each used to initiate a playof a game on the EGM or a sequence of events associated with the EGMfollowing appropriate funding of the EGM. The example EGMs illustratedin FIGS. 10A and 10B each include a game play activation device in theform of a game play initiation button 32. It should be appreciated that,in other embodiments, the EGM begins game play automatically uponappropriate funding rather than upon utilization of the game playactivation device.

In certain embodiments, one or more input devices of the EGM are one ormore wagering or betting devices. One such wagering or betting device isas a maximum wagering or betting device that, when utilized, causes amaximum wager to be placed. Another such wagering or betting device is arepeat the bet device that, when utilized, causes the previously-placedwager to be placed. A further such wagering or betting device is a betone device. A bet is placed upon utilization of the bet one device. Thebet is increased by one credit each time the bet one device is utilized.Upon the utilization of the bet one device, a quantity of credits shownin a credit display (as described below) decreases by one, and a numberof credits shown in a bet display (as described below) increases by one.It should be appreciated that while the player's credit balance, theplayer's wager, and any awards are displayed as an amount of monetarycredits or currency in the embodiments described herein, one or more ofsuch player's credit balance, such player's wager, and any awardsprovided to such player may be for non-monetary credits, promotionalcredits, and/or player tracking points or credits.

In other embodiments, one input device of the EGM is a cash out device.The cash out device is utilized to receive a cash payment or any othersuitable form of payment corresponding to a quantity of remainingcredits of a credit display (as described below). The example EGMsillustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B each include a cash out device in theform of a cash out button 1134.

In certain embodiments, one input device of the EGM is a touch-screencoupled to a touch-screen controller or other touch-sensitive displayoverlay to enable interaction with any images displayed on a displaydevice (as described below). One such input device is a conventionaltouch-screen button panel. The touch-screen and the touch-screencontroller are connected to a video controller. In these embodiments,signals are input to the EGM by touching the touch screen at theappropriate locations.

In various embodiments, one input device of the EGM is a sensor, such asa camera, in communication with the at least one processor of the EGM(and controlled by the at least one processor of the EGM in someembodiments) and configured to acquire an image or a video of a playerusing the EGM and/or an image or a video of an area surrounding the EGM.

In embodiments including a player tracking system, as further describedbelow, one input device of the EGM is a card reader in communicationwith the at least one processor of the EGM. The example EGMs illustratedin FIGS. 10A and 10B each include a card reader 1138. The card reader isconfigured to read a player identification card inserted into the cardreader.

In various embodiments, the EGM includes one or more output devices. Theexample EGM illustrated in FIG. 9B includes at least one output device1060. One or more output devices of the EGM are one or more displaydevices configured to display any game(s) displayed by the EGM and anysuitable information associated with such game(s). In certainembodiments, the display devices are connected to or mounted on acabinet of the EGM (as described below). In various embodiments, thedisplay devices serves as digital glass configured to advertise certaingames or other aspects of the gaming establishment in which the EGM islocated. In various embodiments, the EGM includes one or more of thefollowing display devices: (a) a central display device; (b) a playertracking display configured to display various information regarding aplayer's player tracking status (as described below); (c) a secondary orupper display device in addition to the central display device and theplayer tracking display; (d) a credit display configured to display acurrent quantity of credits, amount of cash, account balance, or theequivalent; and (e) a bet display configured to display an amountwagered for one or more plays of one or more games. The example EGMillustrated in FIG. 10A includes a central display device 1116, a playertracking display 1140, a credit display 1120, and a bet display 1122.The example EGM illustrated in FIG. 10B includes a central displaydevice 1116, an upper display device 1118, a player tracking display1140, a player tracking display 1140, a credit display 1120, and a betdisplay 1122.

In various embodiments, the display devices include, without limitation:a monitor, a television display, a plasma display, a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a display based on light emitting diodes (LEDs), adisplay based on a plurality of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), adisplay based on polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs), a display basedon a plurality of surface-conduction electron-emitters (SEDs), a displayincluding a projected and/or reflected image, or any other suitableelectronic device or display mechanism. In certain embodiments, asdescribed above, the display device includes a touch-screen with anassociated touch-screen controller. It should be appreciated that thedisplay devices may be of any suitable sizes, shapes, andconfigurations.

The display devices of the EGM are configured to display one or moregame and/or non-game images, symbols, and indicia. In certainembodiments, the display devices of the EGM are configured to displayany suitable visual representation or exhibition of the movement ofobjects; dynamic lighting; video images; images of people, characters,places, things, and faces of cards; and the like. In certainembodiments, the display devices of the EGM are configured to displayone or more video reels, one or more video wheels, and/or one or morevideo dice. In other embodiments, certain of the displayed images,symbols, and indicia are in mechanical form. That is, in theseembodiments, the display device includes any electromechanical device,such as one or more rotatable wheels, one or more reels, and/or one ormore dice, configured to display at least one or a plurality of game orother suitable images, symbols, or indicia.

In various embodiments, one output device of the EGM is a payout device.In these embodiments, when the cash out device is utilized as describedabove, the payout device causes a payout to be provided to the player.In one embodiment, the payout device is one or more of: (a) a ticketgenerator configured to generate and provide a ticket or credit sliprepresenting a payout, wherein the ticket or credit slip may be redeemedvia a cashier, a kiosk, or other suitable redemption system; (b) a notegenerator configured to provide paper currency; (c) a coin generatorconfigured to provide coins or tokens in a coin payout tray; and (d) anysuitable combination thereof. The example EGMs illustrated in FIGS. 10Aand 10B each include ticket generator 1136. In one embodiment, the EGMincludes a payout device configured to fund an electronically recordableidentification card or smart card or a bank account via an electronicfunds transfer.

In certain embodiments, one output device of the EGM is a soundgenerating device controlled by one or more sound cards. In one suchembodiment, the sound generating device includes one or more speakers orother sound generating hardware and/or software for generating sounds,such as by playing music for any games or by playing music for othermodes of the EGM, such as an attract mode. The example EGMs illustratedin FIGS. 10A and 10B each include a plurality of speakers 1150. Inanother such embodiment, the EGM provides dynamic sounds coupled withattractive multimedia images displayed on one or more of the displaydevices to provide an audio-visual representation or to otherwisedisplay full-motion video with sound to attract players to the EGM. Incertain embodiments, the EGM displays a sequence of audio and/or visualattraction messages during idle periods to attract potential players tothe EGM. The videos may be customized to provide any appropriateinformation.

In various embodiments, the EGM includes a plurality of communicationports configured to enable the at least one processor of the EGM tocommunicate with and to operate with external peripherals, such as:accelerometers, arcade sticks, bar code readers, bill validators,biometric input devices, bonus devices, button panels, card readers,coin dispensers, coin hoppers, display screens or other displays orvideo sources, expansion buses, information panels, keypads, lights,mass storage devices, microphones, motion sensors, motors, printers,reels, SCSI ports, solenoids, speakers, thumbsticks, ticket readers,touch screens, trackballs, touchpads, wheels, and wireless communicationdevices. At least U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0254014describes a variety of EGMs including one or more communication portsthat enable the EGMs to communicate and operate with one or moreexternal peripherals.

As generally described above, in certain embodiments, such as theexample EGMs illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the EGM has a supportstructure, housing, or cabinet that provides support for a plurality ofthe input device and the output devices of the EGM. Further, the EGM isconfigured such that a player may operate it while standing or sitting.In various embodiments, the EGM is positioned on a base or stand, or isconfigured as a pub-style tabletop game (not shown) that a player mayoperate typically while sitting. As illustrated by the different exampleEGMs shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, EGMs may have varying cabinet anddisplay configurations.

It should be appreciated that, in certain embodiments, the EGM is adevice that has obtained approval from a regulatory gaming commission,and in other embodiments, the EGM is a device that has not obtainedapproval from a regulatory gaming commission.

As explained above, for brevity and clarity, both the EGMs and thepersonal gaming devices of the present disclosure are collectivelyreferred to herein as “EGMs.” Accordingly, it should be appreciated thatcertain of the example EGMs described above include certain elementsthat may not be included in all EGMs. For example, the payment device ofa personal gaming device such as a mobile telephone may not include acoin acceptor, while in certain instances the payment device of an EGMlocated in a gaming establishment may include a coin acceptor.

Operation of Primary or Base Games and/or Secondary or Bonus Games

In various embodiments, an EGM may be implemented in one of a variety ofdifferent configurations. In various embodiments, the EGM may beimplemented as one of: (a) a dedicated EGM wherein computerized gameprograms executable by the EGM for controlling any primary or base games(referred to herein as “primary games”) and/or any secondary or bonusgames or other functions (referred to herein as “secondary games”)displayed by the EGM are provided with the EGM prior to delivery to agaming establishment or prior to being provided to a player; and (b) achangeable EGM wherein computerized game programs executable by the EGMfor controlling any primary games and/or secondary games displayed bythe EGM are downloadable to the EGM through a data network or remotecommunication link after the EGM is physically located in a gamingestablishment or after the EGM is provided to a player.

As generally explained above, in various embodiments in which the gamingsystem includes a central server, central controller, or remote host anda changeable EGM, the at least one memory device of the central server,central controller, or remote host stores different game programs andinstructions executable by the at least one processor of the changeableEGM to control one or more primary games and/or secondary gamesdisplayed by the changeable EGM. More specifically, each such executablegame program represents a different game or a different type of gamethat the at least one changeable EGM is configured to operate. In oneexample, certain of the game programs are executable by the changeableEGM to operate games having the same or substantially the same game playbut different paytables. In different embodiments, each executable gameprogram is associated with a primary game, a secondary game, or both. Incertain embodiments, an executable game program is executable by the atleast one processor of the at least one changeable EGM as a secondarygame to be played simultaneously with a play of a primary game (whichmay be downloaded to or otherwise stored on the at least one changeableEGM), or vice versa.

In operation of such embodiments, the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host is configured to communicate one or more ofthe stored executable game programs to the at least one processor of thechangeable EGM. In different embodiments, a stored executable gameprogram is communicated or delivered to the at least one processor ofthe changeable EGM by: (a) embedding the executable game program in adevice or a component (such as a microchip to be inserted into thechangeable EGM); (b) writing the executable game program onto a disc orother media; or (c) uploading or streaming the executable game programover a data network (such as a dedicated data network). After theexecutable game program is communicated from the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host to the changeable EGM, the at least oneprocessor of the changeable EGM executes the executable game program toenable the primary game and/or the secondary game associated with thatexecutable game program to be played using the display device(s) and/orthe input device(s) of the changeable EGM. That is, when an executablegame program is communicated to the at least one processor of thechangeable EGM, the at least one processor of the changeable EGM changesthe game or the type of game that may be played using the changeableEGM.

In certain embodiments, the gaming system randomly determines any gameoutcome(s) (such as a win outcome) and/or award(s) (such as a quantityof credits to award for the win outcome) for a play of a primary gameand/or a play of a secondary game based on probability data. In certainsuch embodiments, this random determination is provided throughutilization of an RNG, such as a true RNG or a pseudo RNG, or any othersuitable randomization process. In one such embodiment, each gameoutcome or award is associated with a probability, and the gaming systemgenerates the game outcome(s) and/or the award(s) to be provided basedon the associated probabilities. In these embodiments, since the gamingsystem generates game outcomes and/or awards randomly or based on one ormore probability calculations, there is no certainty that the gamingsystem will ever provide any specific game outcome and/or award.

In certain embodiments, the gaming system maintains one or morepredetermined pools or sets of predetermined game outcomes and/orawards. In certain such embodiments, upon generation or receipt of agame outcome and/or award request, the gaming system independentlyselects one of the predetermined game outcomes and/or awards from theone or more pools or sets. The gaming system flags or marks the selectedgame outcome and/or award as used. Once a game outcome or an award isflagged as used, it is prevented from further selection from itsrespective pool or set; that is, the gaming system does not select thatgame outcome or award upon another game outcome and/or award request.The gaming system provides the selected game outcome and/or award. Atleast U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,470,183; 7,563,163; and 7,833,092 and U.S. PatentApplication Publication Nos. 2005/0148382, 2006/0094509, and2009/0181743 describe various examples of this type of awarddetermination.

In certain embodiments, the gaming system determines a predeterminedgame outcome and/or award based on the results of a bingo, keno, orlottery game. In certain such embodiments, the gaming system utilizesone or more bingo, keno, or lottery games to determine the predeterminedgame outcome and/or award provided for a primary game and/or a secondarygame. The gaming system is provided or associated with a bingo card.Each bingo card consists of a matrix or array of elements, wherein eachelement is designated with separate indicia. After a bingo card isprovided, the gaming system randomly selects or draws a plurality of theelements. As each element is selected, a determination is made as towhether the selected element is present on the bingo card. If theselected element is present on the bingo card, that selected element onthe provided bingo card is marked or flagged. This process of selectingelements and marking any selected elements on the provided bingo cardscontinues until one or more predetermined patterns are marked on one ormore of the provided bingo cards. After one or more predeterminedpatterns are marked on one or more of the provided bingo cards, gameoutcome and/or award is determined based, at least in part, on theselected elements on the provided bingo cards. At least U.S. Pat. Nos.7,753,774; 7,731,581; 7,955,170; and 8,070,579 and U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2011/0028201 describe various examples ofthis type of award determination.

In certain embodiments in which the gaming system includes a centralserver, central controller, or remote host and an EGM, the EGM isconfigured to communicate with the central server, central controller,or remote host for monitoring purposes only. In such embodiments, theEGM determines the game outcome(s) and/or award(s) to be provided in anyof the manners described above, and the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host monitors the activities and events occurringon the EGM. In one such embodiment, the gaming system includes areal-time or online accounting and gaming information system configuredto communicate with the central server, central controller, or remotehost. In this embodiment, the accounting and gaming information systemincludes: (a) a player database for storing player profiles, (b) aplayer tracking module for tracking players (as described below), and(c) a credit system for providing automated transactions. At least U.S.Pat. No. 6,913,534 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2006/0281541 describe various examples of such accounting systems.

As noted above, in various embodiments, the gaming system includes oneor more executable game programs executable by at least one processor ofthe gaming system to provide one or more primary games and one or moresecondary games. The primary game(s) and the secondary game(s) maycomprise any suitable games and/or wagering games, such as, but notlimited to: electro-mechanical or video slot or spinning reel typegames; video card games such as video draw poker, multi-hand video drawpoker, other video poker games, video blackjack games, and videobaccarat games; video keno games; video bingo games; and video selectiongames.

In certain embodiments in which the primary game is a slot or spinningreel type game, the gaming system includes one or more reels in eitheran electromechanical form with mechanical rotating reels or in a videoform with simulated reels and movement thereof. Each reel displays aplurality of indicia or symbols, such as bells, hearts, fruits, numbers,letters, bars, or other images that typically correspond to a themeassociated with the gaming system. In certain such embodiments, thegaming system includes one or more paylines associated with the reels.The example EGMs shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B each include a payline 1152and a plurality of reels 1154. In certain embodiments, one or more ofthe reels are independent reels or unisymbol reels. In such embodiments,each independent reel generates and displays one symbol.

In various embodiments, one or more of the paylines is horizontal,vertical, circular, diagonal, angled, or any suitable combinationthereof. In other embodiments, each of one or more of the paylines isassociated with a plurality of adjacent symbol display positions on arequisite number of adjacent reels. In one such embodiment, one or morepaylines are formed between at least two symbol display positions thatare adjacent to each other by either sharing a common side or sharing acommon corner (i.e., such paylines are connected paylines). The gamingsystem enables a wager to be placed on one or more of such paylines toactivate such paylines. In other embodiments in which one or morepaylines are formed between at least two adjacent symbol displaypositions, the gaming system enables a wager to be placed on a pluralityof symbol display positions, which activates those symbol displaypositions.

In various embodiments, the gaming system provides one or more awardsafter a spin of the reels when specified types and/or configurations ofthe indicia or symbols on the reels occur on an active payline orotherwise occur in a winning pattern, occur on the requisite number ofadjacent reels, and/or occur in a scatter pay arrangement.

In certain embodiments, the gaming system employs a ways to win awarddetermination. In these embodiments, any outcome to be provided isdetermined based on a number of associated symbols that are generated inactive symbol display positions on the requisite number of adjacentreels (i.e., not on paylines passing through any displayed winningsymbol combinations). If a winning symbol combination is generated onthe reels, one award for that occurrence of the generated winning symbolcombination is provided. At least U.S. Pat. No. 8,012,011 and U.S.Patent Application Publication Nos. 2008/0108408 and 2008/0132320describe various examples of ways to win award determinations.

In various embodiments, the gaming system includes a progressive award.Typically, a progressive award includes an initial amount and anadditional amount funded through a portion of each wager placed toinitiate a play of a primary game. When one or more triggering eventsoccurs, the gaming system provides at least a portion of the progressiveaward. After the gaming system provides the progressive award, an amountof the progressive award is reset to the initial amount and a portion ofeach subsequent wager is allocated to the next progressive award. Atleast U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,766,079; 7,585,223; 7,651,392; 7,666,093;7,780,523; and 7,905,778 and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos.2008/0020846, 2009/0123364, 2009/0123363, and 2010/0227677 describevarious examples of different progressive gaming systems.

As generally noted above, in addition to providing winning credits orother awards for one or more plays of the primary game(s), in variousembodiments the gaming system provides credits or other awards for oneor more plays of one or more secondary games. The secondary gametypically enables an award to be obtained addition to any award obtainedthrough play of the primary game(s). The secondary game(s) typicallyproduces a higher level of player excitement than the primary game(s)because the secondary game(s) provides a greater expectation of winningthan the primary game(s) and is accompanied with more attractive orunusual features than the primary game(s). It should be appreciated thatthe secondary game(s) may be any type of suitable game, either similarto or completely different from the primary game.

In various embodiments, the gaming system automatically provides orinitiates the secondary game upon the occurrence of a triggering eventor the satisfaction of a qualifying condition. In other embodiments, thegaming system initiates the secondary game upon the occurrence of thetriggering event or the satisfaction of the qualifying condition andupon receipt of an initiation input. In certain embodiments, thetriggering event or qualifying condition is a selected outcome in theprimary game(s) or a particular arrangement of one or more indicia on adisplay device for a play of the primary game(s), such as a “BONUS”symbol appearing on three adjacent reels along a payline following aspin of the reels for a play of the primary game. In other embodiments,the triggering event or qualifying condition occurs based on a certainamount of game play (such as number of games, number of credits, amountof time) being exceeded, or based on a specified number of points beingearned during game play. It should be appreciated that any suitabletriggering event or qualifying condition or any suitable combination ofa plurality of different triggering events or qualifying conditions maybe employed.

In other embodiments, at least one processor of the gaming systemrandomly determines when to provide one or more plays of one or moresecondary games. In one such embodiment, no apparent reason is providedfor the providing of the secondary game. In this embodiment, qualifyingfor a secondary game is not triggered by the occurrence of an event inany primary game or based specifically on any of the plays of anyprimary game. That is, qualification is provided without any explanationor, alternatively, with a simple explanation. In another suchembodiment, the gaming system determines qualification for a secondarygame at least partially based on a game triggered or symbol triggeredevent, such as at least partially based on play of a primary game.

In various embodiments, after qualification for a secondary game hasbeen determined, the secondary game participation may be enhancedthrough continued play on the primary game. Thus, in certainembodiments, for each secondary game qualifying event, such as asecondary game symbol, that is obtained, a given number of secondarygame wagering points or credits is accumulated in a “secondary gamemeter” configured to accrue the secondary game wagering credits orentries toward eventual participation in the secondary game. In one suchembodiment, the occurrence of multiple such secondary game qualifyingevents in the primary game results in an arithmetic or exponentialincrease in the number of secondary game wagering credits awarded. Inanother such embodiment, any extra secondary game wagering credits maybe redeemed during the secondary game to extend play of the secondarygame.

In certain embodiments, no separate entry fee or buy-in for thesecondary game is required. That is, entry into the secondary gamecannot be purchased; rather, in these embodiments entry must be won orearned through play of the primary game, thereby encouraging play of theprimary game. In other embodiments, qualification for the secondary gameis accomplished through a simple “buy-in.” For example, qualificationthrough other specified activities is unsuccessful, payment of a fee orplacement of an additional wager “buys-in” to the secondary game. Incertain embodiments, a separate side wager must be placed on thesecondary game or a wager of a designated amount must be placed on theprimary game to enable qualification for the secondary game. In theseembodiments, the secondary game triggering event must occur and the sidewager (or designated primary game wager amount) must have been placedfor the secondary game to trigger.

In various embodiments in which the gaming system includes a pluralityof EGMs, the EGMs are configured to communicate with one another toprovide a group gaming environment. In certain such embodiments, theEGMs enable players of those EGMs to work in conjunction with oneanother, such as by enabling the players to play together as a team orgroup, to win one or more awards. In other such embodiments, the EGMsenable players of those EGMs to compete against one another for one ormore awards. In one such embodiment, the EGMs enable the players ofthose EGMs to participate in one or more gaming tournaments for one ormore awards. At least U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos.2007/0123341, 2008/0070680, 2008/0176650, and 2009/0124363 describevarious examples of different group gaming systems.

In various embodiments, the gaming system includes one or more playertracking systems. Such player tracking systems enable operators of thegaming system (such as casinos or other gaming establishments) torecognize the value of customer loyalty by identifying frequentcustomers and rewarding them for their patronage. Such a player trackingsystem is configured to track a player's gaming activity. In one suchembodiment, the player tracking system does so through the use of playertracking cards. In this embodiment, a player is issued a playeridentification card that has an encoded player identification numberthat uniquely identifies the player. When the player's playing trackingcard is inserted into a card reader of the gaming system to begin agaming session, the card reader reads the player identification numberoff the player tracking card to identify the player. The gaming systemtimely tracks any suitable information or data relating to theidentified player's gaming session. The gaming system also timely trackswhen the player tracking card is removed to conclude play for thatgaming session. In another embodiment, rather than requiring insertionof a player tracking card into the card reader, the gaming systemutilizes one or more portable devices, such as a cell phone, a radiofrequency identification tag, or any other suitable wireless device, totrack when a gaming session begins and ends. In another embodiment, thegaming system utilizes any suitable biometric technology or tickettechnology to track when a gaming session begins and ends.

In such embodiments, during one or more gaming sessions, the gamingsystem tracks any suitable information or data, such as any amountswagered, average wager amounts, and/or the time at which these wagersare placed. In different embodiments, for one or more players, theplayer tracking system includes the player's account number, theplayer's card number, the player's first name, the player's surname, theplayer's preferred name, the player's player tracking ranking, anypromotion status associated with the player's player tracking card, theplayer's address, the player's birthday, the player's anniversary, theplayer's recent gaming sessions, or any other suitable data. In variousembodiments, such tracked information and/or any suitable featureassociated with the player tracking system is displayed on a playertracking display. In various embodiments, such tracked informationand/or any suitable feature associated with the player tracking systemis displayed via one or more service windows that are displayed on thecentral display device and/or the upper display device. At least U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,722,985; 6,908,387; 7,311,605; 7,611,411; 7,617,151; and8,057,298 describe various examples of player tracking systems.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention andwithout diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intendedthat such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:
 1. A gaming system comprising: atleast one controller programmed to operate with each of a plurality ofgaming machines to: for a play of a community skill-based game: enableeach of a plurality of players of each of a plurality of gaming machinesto make at least one quantifiable skill input, determine an outcome,said determination being based, at least in part, on the at least onequantifiable skill input of at least one of the plurality of players,determine any award associated with the determined outcome, andcommunicate data which results in a display of any determined award toat least one of the plurality of players, cause game state dataassociated with the play of the skill-based game to be stored, andresponsive to a skill-based game interruption event occurring prior to aconclusion of the play of the skill-based game: load the stored gamestate data, for a designated period of time, enable each of the playersto indicate to resume the play of the skill-based game, responsive toeach of the players indicating to resume the play of the skill-basedgame within the designated period of time, prior to an expiration of thedesignated period of time, resume the play of the skill-based game,wherein the skill-based game is resumed based on the loaded game statedata, and responsive to at least one of the players indicating to resumethe play of the skill-based game within the designated period of timeand at least one of the players not indicating to resume the play of theskill-based game within the designated period of time, after theexpiration of the designated period of time, resume the play of theskill-based game, wherein the skill-based game is resumed based on theloaded game state data.
 2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein saiddetermination of the outcome is based, at least in part, on the at leastone quantifiable skill input of each of the plurality of players.
 3. Thegaming system of claim 1, wherein the at least one quantifiable skillinput is selected from the group consisting of: at least onequantifiable input of a mental skill, and at least one quantifiableinput of a physical skill.
 4. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein anydetermined awards is at least one selected from the group consisting of:a quantity of monetary credits, a quantity of non-monetary credits, aquantity of promotional credits, and a quantity of player trackingpoints.
 5. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein responsive to each ofthe players not indicating to resume the play of the skill-based gamewithin the designated period of time, the at least one controller isprogrammed to operate with each of the plurality of gaming machines tonot resume the play of the skill-based game.
 6. A method of operating agaming system including a plurality of gaming machines, said methodcomprising: for a play of a community skill-based game: enabling each ofa plurality of players of each of the plurality of gaming machines tomake at least one quantifiable skill input, determining, by acontroller, an outcome, said determination being based, at least inpart, on the at least one quantifiable skill input of at least one ofthe plurality of players, determining, by the controller, any awardassociated with the determined outcome, and displaying, by a displaydevice, any determined award to at least one of the plurality ofplayers, storing game state data associated with the play of theskill-based game, and responsive to a skill-based game interruptionevent occurring prior to a conclusion of the play of the skill-basedgame: loading, by the controller, the stored game state data, for adesignated period of time, enabling each of the players to indicate toresume the play of the skill-based game, responsive to each of theplayers indicating to resume the play of the skill-based game within thedesignated period of time, prior to an expiration of the designatedperiod of time, resuming, by the controller, the play of the skill-basedgame, wherein the skill-based game is resumed based on the loaded gamestate data, and responsive to at least one of the players indicating toresume the play of the skill-based game within the designated period oftime and at least one of the players not indicating to resume the playof the skill-based game within the designated period of time, after theexpiration of the designated period of time, resuming, by thecontroller, the play of the skill-based game, wherein the skill-basedgame is resumed based on the loaded game state data.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, wherein said determination of the outcome is based, at least inpart, on the at least one quantifiable skill input of each of theplurality of players.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least onequantifiable skill input is selected from the group consisting of: atleast one quantifiable input of a mental skill, and at least onequantifiable input of a physical skill.
 9. The method of claim 6,wherein any determined awards is at least one selected from the groupconsisting of: a quantity of monetary credits, a quantity ofnon-monetary credits, a quantity of promotional credits, and a quantityof player tracking points.
 10. The method of claim 6, wherein responsiveto each of the players not indicating to resume the play of theskill-based game within the designated period of time, not resuming theplay of the skill-based game.
 11. The method of claim 6, which isprovided through a data network.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein thedata network is an internet.